Kirkcudbright Art and Crafts Trail scoops Epic Award title

A Dumfries and Galloway arts and crafts group has been named the best voluntary and amateur art group in Scotland.

Kirkcudbright Art and Crafts Trail (KACT) organises a four day art trail in the town each year featuring venues as diverse as artist’s studios, houses, sheds, gardens and outdoor spaces.

Its organisers, three amateur artists, were awarded the title of best in Scotland at the Epic Awards, a competition organised by national development body Voluntary Arts.

Taking place each summer, KACT has grown from humble beginnings to become the highlight of the town’s cultural calendar.

Initially printing just 100 brochures for the first event in 2002 last year it printed 10,000, and featured 200 participants at 101 venues throughout the area.

We feel truly honoured to win this award, especially considering our worthy opponents and we are confident this award will further help to promote our friendly town

Exhibitors' skills include fine art painting, sculpture, woodwork, printmaking, dance, music, glasswork, jewellery and knitting, with everyone from school children to OAPs taking part.

A free minibus service is even provided for less mobile visitors to enjoy the trail – accompanied by volunteers who give running commentaries of the views from the bus.

Pauline Saul, of the group, said: “Winning this prestigious Epic Award is a truly wonderful recognition of all the hard work that has gone into the creation of this event - not only by the committee of three, but all those who volunteer to help us fundraise and give hands-on help.

“We feel truly honoured to win this award, especially considering our worthy opponents and we are confident this award will further help to promote our friendly town.”

KACT collected its award at an annual awards ceremony held in Salford by Voluntary Arts.

Regional winners from the rest of the UK and Ireland were also revealed as was the People’s Choice public vote award winner, which this year went to Knitted Knockers – a group of knitters from across the UK.

Runner-up to KACT in the Scotland region was DD8 Music – a group of volunteer musicians who offer young people in the small town of Kirriemuir a chance to learn and record music.

The musicians hire out a recording and rehearsal room they own in the town and use the profits to allow young people in the town use the facilities for free.

DD8 Music also runs Bonfest, an annual music festival celebrating the life of AC/DC singer Bon Scott, which is said to be one of the best days of the year for the local economy with hotels, bars and restaurants crammed with visitors from all over the world.

DD8 Music’s Graham Galloway said: “The Epic Awards winners’ reception was fantastic, really great fun, and great that we were able to take some of our young people down to it as well.

“It’s always great to get recognition for the work we do, and seeing the calibre of the other people who won an Epic Award, some of the other projects are phenomenal, so to be in the same category as them is just great.”

Fiona Hyslop MSP, cabinet secretary for culture and external affairs added: “Congratulations to Kirkcudbright Arts and Craft Trail for winning this year's Scotland Epic Award. This cross-art form event each summer has involved the whole community and attracts new visitors to the local area to see for themselves the stunning and vibrant town.”

She continued: “DD8 Music is led by some truly inspirational young people. I wish them all continued success.”